McDonald's Holiday Hours

Verified 2026

McDonald's holiday hours are famously inconsistent from one location to the next — and there's a simple reason why. Here's what actually determines whether your local McDonald's is open on a given holiday.

Why McDonald's Holiday Hours Vary So Much

According to McDonald's own corporate figures, approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent franchisees, not by McDonald's Corporation itself. That means there's no single company-wide holiday policy — each franchise owner decides independently whether to open, close, or run reduced hours (including drive-thru-only) on any given holiday. Two McDonald's locations a few miles apart can have completely different Thanksgiving or Christmas hours. The only reliable way to know is to check your specific location.

Holiday	Status
New Year's Day	Most locations open, hours vary by franchise
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Easter Sunday	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Memorial Day	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Independence Day (July 4th)	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Labor Day	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Veterans Day	Open, normal hours (varies by franchise)
Thanksgiving	Most locations open with adjusted hours (commonly reported around 10:30 AM – 11 PM); some open earlier or close earlier, a few close entirely
Black Friday	Open, normal hours
Christmas Eve	Commonly reported reduced hours (around 5 AM – 6 PM), varies significantly by location
Christmas Day	Many locations closed; some — especially 24-hour and urban locations — stay open, sometimes drive-thru only
New Year's Eve	Open, hours vary by franchise

Because roughly 95% of McDonald's locations are independently owned franchises, holiday hours are decided store-by-store, not by McDonald's corporate. The patterns above reflect commonly reported behavior, not a guaranteed company-wide schedule — always confirm your specific location before visiting, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is McDonald's open on Christmas Day?

It depends entirely on the individual franchise. Many locations close, but some — especially 24-hour or high-traffic urban locations — stay open, sometimes with drive-thru only. Check your specific location.

Why do some McDonald's locations have different holiday hours than others?

About 95% of McDonald's restaurants are independently owned franchises, not corporate-operated. Each franchise owner sets their own holiday hours, so there's no single company-wide policy.

Is McDonald's open on Thanksgiving?

Most locations are open with adjusted hours, commonly reported as starting later and/or closing earlier than usual, but this varies by franchise.

Are McDonald's drive-thrus open when the dining room is closed on a holiday?

Often, yes — many franchises keep the drive-thru running on holidays even when the dining room is closed or on reduced hours, but this varies by location.

Is McDonald's open 24 hours on holidays?

Some locations that normally run 24 hours may continue to do so on holidays, but many scale back. This is decided individually by each franchise.